Living 50 Plus 07.25.14

America's Choice In Homecare®

IN EVERY WAY

Visiting Angels franchised homecare agencies have served hundreds of thousands offamilies in their homes across the nation. Visiting Angels is the most recognized and respect ed name in senior hom e care. We are "America's Choice In Homecare!"

• Affordable ca re I Professional care • More than just senior care ·We're locally owned ·Providing "Peace of Mind" since 1998 across America

925-240-1100 angelcarel OOO@gmail.com Serving the communities of Antioch, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Livermore& Oakley

28 I THEPRESS.NET

JULY 25, 2014

~"~"when it was time to find help for Mom I made the best decision for all the right reasons.~~ "I wanted a caring and friendly environment for Mom, with personal attention and a great quality of life. I found it all right here, where Assisted Living is designed individually for those who need some help with the activities of daily living. People like my Mom. Each day Mom gets three fresh, home-cooked meals, opportunities to socialize- even group trips. Since she moved in, she's discovered a renewed sense of energy. I couldn't ask for anything more- and neither could Mom."

If you have a loved one that needs great care personalized just for them, call or visit today.

Upcoming Seminar:

CAN I AFFORD A SENIOR LIVING SOLUTION? Wednesday, July 30

I

5:30-7p.m.

Enjoy complimentary appetizers as you discover the c hoices available in senior living.

For reservations or more information, call (925) 240-0733 or lpinguelo@brookdale.com

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C9RTONA PARK Senior Living at Brentwood .~ A Brookdale• Managed Community

A LL T H E PLACES LI FE CA N GO '"

Assisted Living 150 Cortona Way, Brentwood, CA 94513 (925) 240-0733 I brookdale.com RCFE # 075 601508

AU. THE Pt.ACES LIFE CAN GO Is a Tradema1'11: of Brookdale Senior Llmg Inc., Nashvtle, TN, USA. Cl Reg. U. S. Patent & T\4 Office 18700-ROP01-071.. SW

LIVING 5 0 PLUS

JULY 25, 2014

THEPRESS.NET I 38

Visiting Angels offer help and hugs RUTH ROBERTS

T

he changes started slowly - a missed meal here, confusion over medications

there, and eventually, a fall. "Just took a little flop," he joked, but for the adult children of 85-year-old Richard Pite, their dad's safety and health was no laughing matter.

"I t was getting to the point where we were nervous al l t he time that so meth ing would happen t o him and no one would be t here," said Doug Pit e, Richa rd's son. "We needed someone to f ill in the spaces w hen we could n't be t here- especially at nigh t ."

Ent er t he Visit ing Angels. With more t han 400 franchises nationwide, Vis iting A ngels offers in-home, non-medica l, hands-on care f or senio rs, Photo by Brooke Sperrer

ON THE COVER: Back row, left to right, Visiting Angels Community Services Director Marla Luckhardt, Client Care Manager Kathy Barr and owner Keith Beck, visit with seniors Howard Cavil and Olna Rae Lapum.

Featured listing 6211 Sellers Ave., Oakley $589,000

Community Services Director Marla Luckhardt, owner Keith Beck and Client Care Manager Kathy Barr of Visiting Angels meet the needs of the area's growing senior population through a variety of in-home services.

including full - or pa rt-time shifts, resp ite for family members, diet monitori ng, assistance w ith bathing and dressing,

and light housekeepi ng. Bonded and insured with a rigorous screen ing and t raining process for thei r caregivers,

the individually owned and operated franch ise is recogn ized as one of the lead ing homecare agencies in the area.

But the Angels are much more than t he services they p rovide . " From the owner to the Angels t hemselves, t here is just a kindness t hat exudes f rom them all," said Marla Luckhardt, senior advocate an d community services director for Visiting A ngels. "They are just good peop le, and t hey go above an d beyond to make a senior's day not only easier, but more pleasant. There is a genuine communicat ion and frien dship that exists between the Angels and t heir clients. What you see is what you get."

A nd what you get is Ke ith Beck, owner of the Vis iting An gels fra nchise serving A lameda and Cont ra Costa counties. His longtim e commit ment to qua lity and service comes from a very personal place .

In 2004, when h is parents w ere suddenly faced wit h simultan eous hospital stays and surgeries, Beck - an only child- f ound himself responsible for manag ing thei r needs, "and it became one of the most cha llenging ti mes in my life as I t ried to take ca re of my pa rents, run a business and still

see Angels page 11B

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48 I THEPRESS.NET

JULY 25, 2014

LIVING 50 PLUS

Gentle yoga offers powerful results AMY SCHRADER

oga classes for seniors seem to be

Y

popping up everywhere. Local gyms, community centers, and even churches

offer gentle yoga classes or classes specifically

designed for seniors. While seniors may start with gentle classes, some excel to advanced levels and even become teachers.

Senior yogis are fee ling like ki ds again as t he 5,000-year-old p ract ice not only improves flexibility but also reduces aches an d pains.

"Yoga is good fo r seniors for so many reasons, but t he main reason is t hat it is doable, and you can contin ue to do it daily unlike some ot her physical activi t ies that are hard on our bodies," said Erica Lozano, a yoga inst ructor f rom Oakley. "As we age, gravity, poor alignment and injuries can ta ke a t oll on our bodies.

Yoga unties all of the knots we accumulat e in life."

Lozano has seen many students transform thei r lives through yoga pract ice. "I see the excitement in t hem wh en they come to class, and it is the same excitement I have when I teach another class or even when I attend class," Lozano said. "It's a beautiful t hing.

Gentle yoga is re laxing, restorat ive and f ull of amazing benefi ts."

Lozano's gentle yoga classes include props to support the body into a deep re laxation . St retching, lea rning different b reat hing techniques and modifica-

tions will help improve the strength and flexibility of participants.

Lozano teaches gentle yoga for seniors through the City of Oakley Recreation Division. Classes, for seniors 50 an d o lder, meet every Friday morning .

Pre-registration is required. For more informat ion, call the City of Oakley at 925 -625-7041 or e-mail tumi n@ ci.oakley.ca.us.

It's no surprise t hat so many seniors are embracing yoga. According to the A merican Senior Fitness Associat ion (SFA), yoga improves t he quantity and quality of sleep for seniors. Regular yoga practice can also improve strength and reduce pain and infl ammat ion associat ed with arthritis. The SFA also repo rts t hat yoga ca n assist in diabetes management as well as improve lung funct ion and decrease hypertension. Other benefits include we ight loss and an improved mood .

Oakley resident John Freemer started yoga whe n he was 54 years old. "My practice has improved my body, mind an d health tre mendously," he said. "I started for the physical part and stayed for t he mental."

Freemer, w ho is now 59, is an advanced yoga student and even attended Wa nderlust in Tahoe th is summer. Wanderlust is a yoga fest ival described as an adventure of the mind , body and soul.

"Wanderlust has been awesome," Free mer said. " It's nice to spend a weekend with like-minded people."

If you can't make the classes run by the City of Oakley, Lozano also teaches gentle yoga at Diamond Hills Sports Club and Spa in Oakley and at the Brentwood Yoga Cent er. For more informat ion about Lozano's classes visit www.yog-e.com.

To comment, visit www thepress. net.

QUAIL LODGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Photo courtesy of John Freemer

Oakley resident John Freem er began practicing yoga five years ago at the age of 54. Freemer is now an advanced yoga student and recently attended the Wanderlust yoga festival in Tahoe at the site of the 1960 Win ter Olympics.

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LIVING 50 PLUS

JULY 25, 2014

Local senior pens WWIInovel AMY SCHRADER

W

hen Bethel Island resident David Garcia was a merchant marine

on a troop carrier drifting through

the Pacific during World War II, he knew he had a story to tell. That story started when he began writing poems to his wife using a secret code, with the first letter of each line of the poem eventually spelling out his confidential location.

When he wasn't w riting letters to his wif e, he'd jot down ideas for stories on notepads, which he kept under his cot. After t he war, Garcia's stories remained, lingering in his back pocket as he pursued a successf ul ca reer in architecture, raised a fam ily of six children and grew to love sailing on the Delta .

But it wasn't unti l Garcia was nearly 80 years old when he decided to share t he stories that had wait ed a lif et ime to be told .

Like many other authors, such as Ernest Hemingway and Earl Stanley Gardner, Garcia's muse was t he sea. ''I'd step my foot onto my boat, and everyt hi ng but the boat and t he water would just disappea r." Garcia said.

During his hours on the Delta, he w rote his f irst book "Who Killed The Rowboat Man?" which is a murder mystery that takes place on the Delta .

Garcia's second book "The Forgotten Island" takes place during Wo rld War II. A young officer and four Navy nurses get stranded on a t ropical island locat ed on enemy shores. Garcia's own experiences from the war are inte rwoven into a fictiona l storyline based on an ancient sailor's myth . The story is fil led with

adventure, romance, suspense and the dangers t hat accompany a war zone.

Now 92 years young, Garcia is proud t o have both of his books available on Amazon .com and at Barnes and Noble.

Writing t hese page-turners wasn't easy, especially for someone who had no experience w ith comp uters. When Garcia found t hat he cou ldn't t ype very well and wasn't fam iliar with computers, he did what most 18 or 19 year olds woul d do: he enrolled in college . " I became a college student when I was 77 years ol d," Garcia said. " Regist ration was a mob, and some people were shocked to see an old man sitting on curb fi lling out reg istration papers. Learning how t o use tech nology has created a second life for me. It has opened a whole new world for me and my stories."

The aut hor is currently working on starting a blog as well as a website for his books and is already half way through

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see Writer page 1OB

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68 I THEPRESS.NET

JULY 25, 2014

LIVI NG 5 0 PLU S

Music for the mind

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SUSANNAH MEYER

H

ave you met Henry? Millions of people around the world know him through YouTube,

but sadly, Henry has Alzheimer's

disease and he doesn't know himself.

If you want to know the value of your property in to day's market, we can do a FREE comparison analysis.

Call us today!

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Website: www.teamelitehomes.com

KELLER WILLIAMS R.

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Keller Williams - Brentwood • CABRE#: 01910152

Unfortunately, too many of us know someone like Henry, who is the subject of a documentary "Alive Inside," written and produced by filmmaker Michael RossatoBennett. The fi lm showcases the effects of music on the cognitive funct ion and behavior of Alzheimer's patients.

Slumped in his wheelchair, Henry appears to be disconnected from the world around him, unresponsive, depressed and uncommunicative, but through the course of the documentary, we learn that music has recently made a profound impact on his life. In fact, we see Henry transformed, singing and swaying to the music, as he is re-introduced to his favorite performer, Cab Calloway.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are currently 5 million Americans like Henry battling Alzheimer's disease, a progressive mental deterioration that leads to weakening motor skills, speech and memory.

Henry's story proves that music is powerful. From lullabies to first dances, from wedding songs to memorials, music inspires emotion

and memories, laughter and tears, and it heals.

Kristy Osborn, program director at the Bedford Center for Adult Day Health Care in Antioch, knows that f irst-hand.

"Music therapy has amazing benefits for individuals wit h Alzheimer's disease," Osborn said. "Here at the Bedford Center, we are always incorporating music into our day. It benefits our participants with Alzheimer's by decreasing their agitation levels and stimulating positive interactions overall."

According to research, music connects with portions of the brain that can still respond to rhythm and auditory cues. Music cannot only decrease depression and agitation but can improve engagement and even motor skills- all without a prescription.

"It is pretty amazing when someone cannot even remember their own name or what city they live in, but can tell you the name of t heir favorite singer or song," Osborn said. "It makes you realize how powerful music is for the soul and how it can resonate with us even until the end."

In the treatment of Alzheimer's, music is a therapy generating positive results and feelings of hope and excitement.

Music can be considered a wonder drug without the side-effects. For the loved ones of Henry and others like him, those feelings are music to their ears.

To learn more about the Bedford Center, visit www.rsnc-centers.org. To view a clip from "Alive Inside," visit www.thepress.net.

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LIVING 50 PLUS

JULY 25, 2014

New senior home has a B&B feel AMY SCHRADER

G

THEPRESS.NET I 78

MANAGING CASH FLOW IN RETIREMENT. ARE YOU PREPARED?

randma and Grandpa's Place, an assisted living facility for seniors in Brentwood, has the

DO YOU WANT TO INCREASE YOUR RETIREMENT CASH FLOW?

appeal of a cozy bed-and-breakfast.

Through the open back door, the aroma of a freshly prepared dinner spills out onto the walking path that winds through the grounds.

A petting zoo sits next to the orchards filled with avocado, peach, cherry and apricot trees.

Samea Helmandi, facility operator, thinks of Grandma and Grandpa's Place as a second home to the Helmandi family.

"This is a family-owned business," said Helmandi, who has more than 11 years of experience in the assisted living industry. "We put our heart and soul into it, and the people who live here become our family. Our number one priority is making this a home."

Grandma and Grandpa's Place, a licensed facility that opened May 16, is a breath of fresh air for families who don't want their elders living in a large-scale, sterile environment that feels more like a hotel than a home. Each boutiquestyled room at Grandma and Grandpa's has a private bathroom. There are chandeliers in the hallways, paintings on the walls and fresh

Photo by Amy Schrader

Beverly Clover, left, seen here with Grandma and Grandpa's Place Facility Opera tor Samea Helmandi, is a recent addition to the new senior residence. homemade meals.

The entrance area features a living room and activity center; plus, there is an open kitchen and a dining area with a large family-style table.

"When you walk through the front door, it

see Home page 88

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88 I THEPRESS.NET

JULY 2 5, 2014

LIVI NG 5 0 PLUS

Staying healthy after 50

A

healthy lifestyle is necessary at any ag e, but for those over 50, it's especially importa nt. Fortunately, there are some

simple things you can do to lead a healthier a nd happier life.

Eat heart healthy Establish a heart healthy diet by reducing your sodium intake to reduce t he risk of high blood pressure.

Enjoy nut rie nt-dense foods It's important to make your calories count by eating

Home from page 7B feels like home," Helmandi said.

foods packed wit h good nutrition, such as f ruit s, veget ables and whole grains.

Get M oving Physical act ivity and regular exercise can decrease t he risk of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. The Centers for Disease Cont rol and Prevention recommends those 65 and older t ry to complete 150 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking or yoga, each week. Seniors are also encouraged to t ake party in muscle-strengthening activities two or more days a week.

- Courtesy of Family Features

Grandma and Grandpa's Place has 18 rooms and an impressive staff-to-resident ratio of 1 to 6. All seNices are individualized, and the facility offers both short- and long-term living arrangements. The facility provides around-the-clock care, including assistance in completing daily activities. Amenities include recreation and exercise, freshly prepared meals and all of the comforts one would expect to find in a bed and breakfast.

Chris DeRodeff, who recently moved in, is already enjoying the comforts. "They're spoiling me," DeRodeff said. "I'll never be the same if I leave here. They spoil me like I'm a kid."

Grandma and Grandpa's Place is located at 6400 Brentwood Blvd. For more information or to schedule a private tour, call 925-786-1109.

To comment, visit 'N'vWV.thepress.net.

HomeLife Senior Care "Our family helping your family"

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JULY 25, 2014

LIVING 5 0 PLUS

THEPRESS.NET I 98

If the shoe fits H OW MANY TIM ES HAVE YOU said, "oh my aching feeP" My grandmot her used to ca ll them her tootsies and laug hed when she took her shoes off an d saw that her feet we re twice th e size they were when SENIOR she put her shoes CORNER on in t he morning.

My grand father used to call her Toot sie, w hich made me laugh since I envisioned a foot as opposed to a gra ndma.

M ARLA LUCKHARDT The fact that she could laug h was en dearing, but swollen feet due to poor shoe choices can be a hea lth hazard. Afte r wa lkin g on o u r paws all day, elevati ng our feet in the even ing can help bring that swelling down, but choosing t he right pair of shoes is more important.

I used t o t h in k noth ing of wearing a stunni ng pa ir of 6-inch heels as I walked the five city blocks to wo rk every day in New York City. The hard pave ment coup led with t he half-mile walk didn't bother my 20-year-old puppies at all then, but now I can't balance o n anyt hi ng higher t han a pair of Go

Preventing falls among older Americans is a top health priority, and improved balance can help reduce the risk of a fall.

Proper footwear can help improve balance, especially in older people who may struggle with mobility issues.

- DR. MATTHEW

When you list your home with me I offer the following services:* • • • • •

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GAROUFALIS

Walks. Comfort t rumps style.

Since we are on ou r f eet f or

As a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), since 2004, I specialize in helping seniors.

more t han 50 percent of t he day, it is imperative that we f ind comfo rtab le and

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see Shoe page 11B

You have a Choice for Surgery.

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10B I THEPRESS.NET

JULY 25, 2014

LIVI NG 5 0 PLUS

New habits for a better life

Lender in Contra Costa Your Local Reverse Mortgage Specialist Direct: (925) 303-9740 therese.burgueno@SJL.com

M

ost people prefer to stay in their home or apartment for as long as

possible. The best way to make this a

Checklist and Assessment Instrument" f or more details.

Getting Help Keepi ng a house running smoothly requires a lot of hard work . If you are no

reality is to plan ahead and make the

longer able to keep up wit h the demands,

amenities in your home as safe and

you may need to hire someone to do laun-

accessible as possible.

dry, buy groceries, run errands, clean t he house or perform any necessary repairs.

There are a number of services that can

Home Modifications

AGX Protection Plan

Living at home longer may requi re renovating a home to ma ke it more accessible. This can include such things as inst alling ramps to bypass stairs, building a bedroom on the mai n floor, placing grab bars in the shower, changing the height of kitchen countertops or making a bathroom safer and more accessible.

The Nat ional Resource Cent er on Support ive Housing and Home Modificat ions is a good resource for those looking to make such modifications. Go to the cent er's website at www.homemods. org and cl ick on the link to t he " Safety

Try an AGX Hearing system for

Writer from page SB

75 days, risk-free

w r iting his th ird novel, t it led " Hamakua."

"Sharing these st ories makes my life worthwhil e," Garcia said . " I live w ith t hese st ories, characters and memories

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Tran sportation Declining health often causes a decline in independence and mobility.

Many seniors lose the abilit y to drive or simply feel uncomfortable behind t he w heel at night. Investigate transportat ion options in your area so you can maint ain an active social life, receive medical care and shop for necessities.

- Courtesy of Family Features

that are j ust wa it ing for me to bring to life ."

To order Garcia's books, visit www. amazon.com or www.bn.com .

To comment. visit www thepress.net.

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Are you missing single or multiple teeth? Are you hiding your smile due to the problem? Do you have difficulty in chewing due to missing teeth or loose den tures? Is your lower denture too loose and moving around while you chew or talk? If your answer is yes to any one of the above questions, dental implants may be the right choice for you.

Dental implants are an artificial tooth root that can support artificial teeth. This is an ideal option fo r people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury or some other cause. Dental implants are actually more tooth saving than traditional bridgeworks. For a dental bridge one needs to use neighboring teeth for support.

Implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.

This advanced dentistry procedure provides natural-looking teeth that also feel natural.

Dental implants can also be used to support removable dentures. With dentures supported by dental implants, one can eat and chew food more efficiently. Dentures are more secure and comfortable, and will not move during eating, talking and laughing. These can improve your confidence in both your personal and your professional life.

If you have missing teeth, you are continuously loosening the jawbone. Lack of teeth can also lead to bone loss, which can affect your facial appearance and chewing

function. A fixed bridge cannot prevent bone loss. Rem ovable dentures can accelerate the bone loss process, but dental implants can actually stop bone loss. Dental implants will provide the stimulus required to maintain the bone.

The ideal candidate for dental implants is one who has good oral health. An adequate amount of bone in your jaw is needed to help support the implant. Those who have healthy gum tissue and are free from gum disease are the best candidates. Dental implants are made of titanium and metal fixtures that are placed within the jawbone with great precision. They provide a highly biocompatible surface, which enables bone to completely fill in and provide long-term stability.

Dental implants can last for a long time with regular maintenance and proper oral hygiene. Once the implants are in place, they require the same care you would give to natural teeth. In order to keep your implants clean and plaque-free, brushing and flossing are necessary. After treatment your dentist will work closely with you to develop the best care plan for you. Periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your implant, teeth and gums and make sure they remain healthy.

For all of your dental questions & concerns please contact Pristine Dental owner, Dr Pravin Patel DDS M DS FDSRCS (UK) MICOI at (925) 679-3333, www.pristinedentalimplants.com.

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JULY 25, 2014

LIVING 50 PLUS

Shoe from page 98

Angels from page 38

to many f oot disorders like arth ritis, ingrown toenails, fu ngal nails, diabetic ulcers and even corns and cal luses, so th e right footwear is especially important when it comes to preserving good foot hea lth.

Look for shoes that protect and support your f eet. Orthopedic walking shoes often provide a good combination of comfort and support. Avoid shoes with narrow toes or little arch support.

Make sure your shoes fit you properly and can accommodate the socks you usually wear. When selecting a shoe to improve balance, you should press on both sides of the heel area t o ensure th e heel is stiff and won't collapse. Bend the shoe to check for toe flexibil ity. The shoe shouldn't bend too much in th e toe box area, but it shouldn't be too stiff and inflexible either. Try twisting the shoe to make sure it doesn't bend in the middle.

"Preventing fa lls among older Americans is a t op health priority, and improved balance can help reduce the risk of a fall," says Dr. Matthew Garoufalis, a podiatri st and president of the American Podiatric Medical Association. "Proper footwear ca n hel p improve balance, especia lly in older people who may strugg le with mobility issues ."

Aging and health changes can ca use the size of your feet to change, so when shoppin g for a new pair of shoes, have your f eet measured and go w ith the size of the larger foot. If you wear socks, take the ones you are most likely to wear with you since the try-on peds offered in the store are much thinner than normal socks. Walk around the st ore before you purchase any shoes, and if they don't feel comfortable or st eady right away, don't buy t hem . The old w ives tail of " breaking them in" won't improve things.

If you have specific health cha llenges or foot issues, ta lk to a podiatrist about the best footwear fo r your needs. Some may offer a prescription for orthopedic shoes, wh ich may be covered by your insurance.

Walking up and down the endless aisles at a shoe store used to be a visual dilemma for me. Everythi ng looked so pretty and sparkly. Now I use my sense of touch to choose my footwea r. If it hurts my feet, it stays on the shelf.

Marla Luckhardt is a Discovery Bay resident who works with several local senior care and advocacy groups. Visit her website www.marlasreferrals.com or e-mail her at marla2054@aol.com.

dedicate time to my family," he said. It was that experience which ultim ately turned Beck's career t oward the senior population.

And along the way, Beck has gathered like-minded employees for the Ange ls. Kathy Barr, East Count y cl ient care manager and longtime Brentwood resident, oversees staff, schedules and client evaluations. Her seven-plus years serving the elder community has been a rewarding one, she said: ''I'm doing this because I love what I do, and I adore my sen iors."

For the Pites, w ho have since moved their dad into an assisted living facil it y,

the Angels were, wel l, heaven sent.

"Honestly, they extended the t ime dad was able to live alone and semi -independently, and they did it with grace, patience and genuine affection," Doug said. "We've used other agencies before, and there is just no comparison."

When it co mes to senior care, there are a va riety of options, but often families end up choosing their providers from an advert isement in the phone book, a Google search or a brochure at the doctor's office. Luckhardt suggests going w it h recommendations and referrals from friends or relatives, trusted websites or senior agencies

THEPRESS.NET I 118

fami liar with the company.

"Ask around," she said. " There are plenty of bad apples in the industry, just as there are in all industries, so ask someone who has had a good experience. And make sure t hey (the agency) are easily accessible. You need someone who responds in a time ly manner, because sometimes the need for care is immediate."

For more information on Visiting Angels, ca ll 925-240- 1100 or email angelcare 1OOO@gmail.com. You can also visit the webs ite at www. visitingangels .com .

To comment, visit www. thepress. com.

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Loose Dentures?

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